Pala Kalachuri Conflict
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Pala–Kalachuri Conflict also known as Pala–Kalachuri Struggle[1] and Karna's Invasion of Bengal,[2] was a war between the Pala Empire and the Kalachuris. The conflict was fought between Karna, the successor of King Gangeyadeva of the Kalachuri dynasty of Tripuri, and Nayapala and Vigrahapala, who were the successors of King Mahipala of the Pala Empire.[3]
| Pala Kalachuri Conflict | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Pala Empire | Kalachuris of Tripuri | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Nayapala Sudraka Vigrahapala III |
Karna  | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown amount of troops slaughtered | ||||||
Background
changeMahipala was the ruler of the Pala Empire. He expanded his rule to Banaras, which is known from his inscription found in Banaras itself. The inscription records Mahipala's involvement in restoring structures in Sarnath. During his reign, Rajendra Chola invaded Bengal. The Cholas defeated the kings of Dandabhukti, Palas, Vanga, and Southern Radha in their invasion of Bengal. This invasion lasted for a short period. However the Palas had more trouble with Gangeyadeva, the king of Kalachuris, than they did with the Cholas.[8][9]
The struggle between the Pala Empire and the Kalachuri Dynasty started due to the control of the Pala Empire over Banaras.[10][11] The Kalachuris wanted to expand their control into the middle Ganga valley from Tripuri. Since Banaras is along this route, the Kalachuris of Tripuri came into conflict with the Pala Empire.[10]
Conflicts
changeThe control of Banaras appears to have passed from the Pala Empire to the Kalachuris during this time.[12] Mahipala was succeeded by his son Nayapala.[8][9][13] The most significant event during the reign of Nayapala was the struggle against the Kalachuri king, Karna.[14] The Kalachuris became the most active enemies of the Pala Empire after the fall of the Gurjara Pratihara Empire. Karna, the son of Kalachuri king Gangeyadeva, brought Kalachuri power to its peak. Numerous kings from northern India, who lived during Karna's time felt the brunt of his strength.[15]
Continuing their struggle with the Pala Empire, Karna, the son of Gangeyadeva, invaded the Pala Empire in Gaya during Nayapala's reign.[16] Nayapala was initially defeated by Karna in the invasion, and Karna's troops looted sacred Buddhist institutions of Gaya as they failed to capture the city.[16][17][18] They also took a considerable amount of church furniture.[17][18]
However, victory turned to Nayapala, and the army of Magadha i.e. the army of the Palas slaughtered the army of Karna.[17][19] The forces of the Pala Empire quickly regrouped and inflicted a crushing defeat on the troops of Karna.[20]The conflict between them ultimately ended with a treaty.[17][19][20] The battle between Nayapala and Karna took place at the beginning of Nayapala's reign. A brahmin named Sudraka helped Nayapala in fighting against Karna.[20] Nayapala granted Gaya-mandala to the care of his vassal who had assisted him in the battle.[10][20]
After Nayapala, his son Vigrahapala III ascended to the throne. The hostilities between the Pala Empire and the Kalachuris broke out once again during Vigrahapala's reign.[20][21] During Vigrahapala's reign, Karna launched an invasion of Gauda, but ultimately met defeat and was thoroughly bested by Vigrahapala III.[20][21] Following his defeat in the final war against the Pala Empire, Karna had to sue for peace. As part of the agreement, Karna gave his daughter in marriage to Vigrahapala III.[12][21][7]
Aftermath
changeThe war between the Pala Empire and the Kalachuris ended with a treaty and a matrimonial alliance. After Karna's defeat at the hands of Vigrahapala III in the final war, he had to sue for peace and agreed to give his daughter Yauvanasri in marriage to Vigrahapala III.[12][7][21] Vigrahapala III avoided entirely conceding power to his father-in-law.[12]
Karna had conquered much of northern India, but suffered defeats later in his rule. The Chalukyas, Paramaras, and Chandellas all defeated Karna in his later years. Facing challenges from the Chalukyas and Paramaras in the South and West, as well as the rising power of the Chandellas, posed a significant threat to Karna's power. It is possible that the matrimonial alliance with Vigrahapala III was for this reason.[22]
List of Conflicts
change| Name of Conflict | Belligerents | Belligerents | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karna's Raid on Gaya | Pala Empire
|
Kalachuris of Tripuri
|
Kalachuri Victory |
| Slaughter of Karna's troops | Pala Empire
|
Kalachuris of Tripuri
|
Pala Victory[23][24] |
| Karna's Invasion of Gauda | Pala Empire
|
Kalachuris of Tripuri
|
Pala Victory |
Notes
changeReferences
change- ↑ Chowdhury, Srikanta Roy (2007). From Bāṅgālār Ithihāsa to Bāṅgālīr Ithihāsa: History in Making. Dipali Publishers. p. 79. ISBN 978-81-89036-22-5.
The Pala-Kalachuri struggle continued upto the time of Vigrahapāla III, successor of Nayapala.
- ↑ Paul 1939, p. 56: "Karņa's invasion of Bengal has also been alluded to in the Bheraghat inscription of Ahlaņādevi and in the Karanabel inscription of Jayashmia"
- ↑ Chakrabarty 2010, p. 119: "The Pala-Kalachuri conflict took place on a protracted basis under the Kalachuri Gangeyadeva's successor Karna and Mahipala's successors Nayapala (C. AD 1038-55) and Vigrahapala (C. AD 1055-70)."
- ↑ Satpathy 2015, p. 36: "Since it has been confirmed that Mahipala controlled Benares in C.E 1026, it can be ascertained that the Kalachuri-Pala encounter took place sometime between C.E 1026 and C.E 1034."
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Allan 1934, p. 145.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Banerji 1973, p. 40.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Parishad 1995, p. 198.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chakrabarty 2010, p. 118.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Satpathy 2015, p. 37.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Chakrabarty 2010, p. 119.
- ↑ Satpathy 2015, p. 38.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Allan, John; Haig, T. Wolseley; Dodwell, H. H. (1934). The Cambridge Shorter History Of India. Cambridge University Press. p. 145.
- ↑ Sharma 1957, p. 558.
- ↑ Bagchi 1993, p. 44.
- ↑ Paul 1939, p. 55.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Sharma 1957, p. 559.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 Majumdar 1971, p. 138.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 Majumdar 1943, p. 144.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Majumdar 1943, pp. 144–145.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 Ramakrishnan 2001, p. 27.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Mahajan, Vidya Dhar (1965). Ancient India. S. Chand. p. 534.
- ↑ Paul 1939, p. 56.
- ↑ Majumdar, Ramesh Chandra (1977). Ancient India. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 318. ISBN 978-81-208-0436-4.
Karņa had some initial success and advanced into the heart of Magadha, but was ultimately defeated by Nayapala.
- ↑ Kar, Hemendra Chandra (1980). Military History of India. Firma KLM. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-8364-1588-9.
Although the Kalachuris gained initial success, Nayanala ulti- mately inflicted a crushing defeat on them
Bibliography
change- Chakrabarty, Dilip K. (2010). The Geopolitical Orbits of Ancient India: The Geographical Frames of the Ancient Indian Dynasties. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-908832-4.
- Satpathy, Binod Bihari (2015). Socio-Political and Administrative History of Ancient India (Early time to 8th-12th Century C.E). Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
- Sharma, R. S. (1957). A Comprehensive History Of India Vol. 4 Part 1.
- Pramode Lal Paul (1939). The Early History Of Bengal Vol.i.
- Ramakrishnan, S. (2001). History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 05, The Struggle For Empire. Public Resource. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
- Bagchi, Jhunu (1993). The History and Culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, Cir. 750 A.D.-cir. 1200 A.D. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 978-81-7017-301-4.
- R. C. Majumdar (1971). History of Ancient Bengal (R. C. Majumdar).
- R. C. Majumdar (1943). The History of Bengal Vol.1 (Ed. R. C. Majumdar).
- Banerji, Rakhal Das (1973). The Palas of Bengal. Bhartiya Publishing House.
- Parishad, B.P. (1995). The Journal of the Bihar Purāvid Parishad. Bihar Puravid Parishad. p. 198.